The Board of Directors of African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $1.5 million grant to support the implementation of Jigawa State “One Giga Watt (GW) Independent Power Producer (IPP) Solar Procurement Programme’’.
The continental development finance institution stated that the approval was a demonstration of its commitment to helping Nigeria develop her renewable energy and increasing energy access on the continent.
It stated: “At full one GW capacity, the programme will assist the government to achieve its national goals of reaching 75 per cent electricity access by 2020.
“It will also provide electricity to un-served and underserved areas, particularly in northern Nigeria where access rates are lowest. It will also increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix to 30 per cent by 2030’’, the AfDB added.
According to the bank, the grant will support the completion of outstanding technical and feasibility studies and the design of a master plan for the entire programme’s site.
It, however, stated that providing additional support for the project will be based on the outcome of the technical and feasibility studies.
The Bank’s Vice-President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, Mr. Amadou Hott explained further: “The approval solidifies the Bank’s commitment to Nigeria in resolving its chronic power shortage. It is important for us to deliver a seamless implementation and provide necessary support to the government to conduct an effective IPP procurement process.
“An intergovernmental team led by Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria will be the implementation agency for the grant”, Hott added.
